Multistep drive for textile machines having coilers



July 9, 1968 J. R. WHITEHURST MULTISTEP DRIVE FOR TEXTILE MACHINES HAVING COILERS Filed March 23, 1966 3 Shests-Sheet-l M m 0 w O Y n f\- M 6 5w 5 H M 9 m Q Q 2 2 0 3 B 2 ATTORNEY 5 July 9, 1968 J. R. WHITEHURST 3,391,431

MULTISTEP DRIVE FOR TEXTILE MACHINES HAVING COILERS Filed March 23, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 95 96 I00 /F lol 5 I06 v) u) j 94 f I M v 92 mvsmon: Joe E. WHITEHUES'T ATTORNEY$ 9, 19613 J. R. WHITEHIURSYT 3,391,431

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3 Sheets-Sheet 5 MULTISTEP DRIVE FOR TEXTILE MACHINES HAVING COI Filed March 23, 1966 STJP MOTION OPEN) I86 :98 BBQ/Tc;- I

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United States Patent Oflice Patented July 9, 1968 6 Claims. (Cl. 19-236) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drive for a textile machine having a drafting zone and a coiler, wherein the textile machine is initially operated at a slow speed and after a predetermined time period, is automatically operated at a high speed through the use of a variable slip transmission means interposed in the textile drive.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 328,548, filed Dec. 6, 1963, now Patent No. 3,295,170, and entitled, Drive for Textile Machine Having Coilers.

This invention relates to textile machinery, such as drawing frames for drafting and coiling slivers into cans.

In recent years, the speed at which drawing frames are capable of producing sliver has substantially increased, and it has become difiicult to efficiently coil sliver into cans without adversely affecting the sliver, due to the increased velocity of the sliver and the increased centrifugal force imparted to the sliver as it leaves the eccentric throat or orifice of the rotating coiler plate.

In particular, series problems have been created in coiling sliver into cans during initial starting of a textile machine and at any re-starting of the machine during a run. In accordance with the invention described in my aforementioned copending application, such problems have heretofore been overcome by providing, in a drawing frame having a main shaft and a motive power means, a transmission means interposed between and operatively interconnecting the motive power means and the main shaft which is capable of driving the main shaft at predetermined high and low speeds. As described in detail in my aforementioned copending application, the transmission means has heretofore comprised two electrically actuated disc clutches, with each clutch being one element of a respective power train from the motive power means to the main shaft, and each power train including pulleys and belts which establish a desired speed ratio between the motive power means and the main shaft when the respective power train clutch is drivingly coupled to complete the power train. Such a drive for textile machines having coilers has been found to be superior to a single drive train connecting a power means in the main shaft of the machine, as the latter requires that the machine be started at the normal operating speed and thus gives rise to adverse effects on the sliver being produced.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved multistep drive for textile machines having coilers, which improved drive provides advantages over the multistep drive of my aforementioned copending application. In accordance with the present invention, the improved drive is less subject to requiring maintenance and more readily maintained when maintenance is required. These advantages are obtained through a reduction in the number of o erating elements required for the transmission means. Further, the inclusion of the improved drive of the present invention in a textile machine having a coiler is less expensive than my prior multistep drive, with this advantage smlarly resultng from a reduction in the number of operating elements. Further advantages provided by the present invention are ready adjustment of the over-all transmission means ratio for slow speed operation and a reduction in impact loads applied to the operating elements of the textile machine upon a change in the over-all transmission means ratio to reach high speed operation, with these advantages in particular being derived from the use of a magnetic particle clutch.

It is accordingly a further object of this invention to provide an improved multistep drive for textile machines having coilers wherein a transmission means interposed between and operatively interconnecting a motive power means and a main shaft of the textile machine includes a magnetic particle clutch.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, others will appears as the description proceeds when taken into connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved drive mechanism of the present invention in association with the drafting rolls and coiling mechanism of a drawing frame;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic perspective view of two of the drafting rolls of FIGIURE 1, showing an associated suction cleaning system including an impeller means driven by an impeller. driving means;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical section view through the controllable variable torque transmitting means of the improved drive mechanism of the present invention, taken substantially along the line 33 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of the improved drive mechanism of the present invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the drive mechanism of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 1 in association with a drawing frame having operating instrumentalities for drafting sliver in the form of drafting rolls 10, there being four sets of top and bottom drafting rolls shown. The drafting rolls 10 are driven from a main shaft 11 on which a gear 12 is fixedly mounted. The main shaft 11 and gear 12 drive a train of gears 14, 15, 16 at one side of the group of drafting rolls for driving some of the bottom rolls and the remaining bottom drafting rolls are driven by conventional gear trains 1844 located at the opposite side of the drafting rolls from the gears 12, 1416.

Since the manner in which the gears or gear trains E i-16 and 1844 are connected to the drafting rolls may be conventional and is well known, a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary. As is usual, the back top and bottom rolls are rotated at a relatively slow speed and the successive pairs of rolls forwardly of the same are rotated at progressively increasing speeds for drafting a plurality of slivers S (FIGURE 1) as they pass from a suitable source or cans, not shown, through a sliver guide, over the usual stop motion spoons and thence to the drafting rolls or instrumentalities 10.

The slivers S pass from the front or delivery rolls of the drafting instrumentalities 10 to a suitable coiler mechanism broadly designated at 26. In their course'of travel to the coiler mechanism 26, the slivers S are brought together or condensed as they pass through a trumpet 28 and then between a pair of calender rolls 29 to a coiler plate or tube gear 30. The tube gear 30 includes an inclined coiler tube 31 whose open upper end is concentric with the axis of rotation of tube gear 30 and whose open lower end forms a throat or orifice which is eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis of tube gear 30 (FIG- URE 1).

As is usual, the flanged peripheral edge of the tube gear is normally supported for rotation on the frame of the machine. Coiler mechanism 26 also includes a conventional turntable 32 for supporting a conventional coiler can 34 beneath and in eccentric relation to coiler plate 30. The height of coiler can 34 relative to the distance between coiler plate 30 and turntable 32 is usually such that the upper edge of coiler can 34 is spaced from 2 /2 to 4 inches beneath the coiler plate 30. The coiler can 34 may be provided with an upwardly biased false bottom 35 therein.

It will be observed that the calender rolls 29 are driven by the main shaft 11 through a gear 36 secured thereto and a train of gears 38-42, the latter of which is fixed on one end of one of the calender rolls 29. The gear 40 also transmits rotation to coiler plate 30 and turntable 32. To this end, gear 40 is fixed on a shaft 44 having a bevel gear 45 thereon which meshes with a bevel gear 46 fixed on the upper end of a coiler shaft 47. A gear 50, fixed on the coiler shaft, meshes with tube gear 30, and a gear 51 fixed on the lower end of the coiler shaft 47 transmits rotation to the turntable 32 by means of a series or train of gears 52-54 including a gear 54 fixed to the turntable 32 in concentric relation thereto.

The drive mechanism from main shaft 11 to the drafting rolls I0, calender rolls 29, tube gear 30 and turntable 32 is conventional and is shown by way of illustration only, since it is apparent that such drive mechanism may vary on different drawing frames.

The drawing frame disclosed herein is equipped with an air flow cleaning system for the drafting rolls of a type such as is disclosed in my US. Patent No. 2,934,797, dated May 3, 1960. Such a cleaning system is exemplified schematically in FIGURE 2 wherein it is shown in association with one set of upper and lower drafting rolls 10. Each drafting roll 10 has the open side of an elongate suction nozzle or suction head extending in spaced relation therealong as shown in FIGURE 2. The particular construction of the suction heads 60 and the manner in which they are supported will not be described herein, since they may be supported and constructed in the manner disclosed in the aforementioned patent. The central outer or distal portions of the upper and lower suction heads 60 have corresponding ends of conduits 61 communicatively connected thereto which are connected to a common conduit 62 leading to a suction chamber 63 which is usually formed in the head end 64 of a drawing frame.

The head end 64 is provided with a vertical partition 65 therein which is open and provides communication between the suction chamber 63 and an air discharge or blowing chamber 66. Chamber 66 may be provided with two air impellers or fans 67 therein which are fixed on shafts 70 suitably journaled in the head end 64. The shafts 70 are driven by a suitable means such as a belt 72 operatively connecting the shafts to an impeller driving means or fan motor 74, so that air is sucked into the suction heads 60 and any lint or foreign matter sucked off the drafting rolls 10 is conveyed into the suction chamber 63. A suitable filter 71 is provided for entrapping fiber waste thereagainst as the air flows through the suction chamber 63 and is discharged through the blowing chamber 66 by the fans 67.

As is well known, drawing frames are equipped with various types of stop motion devices for detecting faults in the operation of the drawing frame and stopping the same as a result thereof, as exemplified by spoons 75 which are pivotally supported on an upper transverse contact bar 77 and whose rear portions drop against a lower transverse contact bar 78 upon any corresponding strands S passing thereover becoming unduly slackened or parted. Various other types of fault-actuated stop motions which may serve to operate a stop motion switch may be provided on various drawing frames so as to be actuated upon any one or more of the upper drafting rolls being abnormally raised or elevated relative to the corresponding bottom drafting rolls, by choking of the sliver in the trumpet 28, or choking or parting of the sliver between the calender rolls 29 and the tube gear 30 (for example, see my U.S. Patent No. 2,811,753 dated Nov. 5, 1957). Accordingly, the block 79 bearing the legend fault-responsive stop motion in the central portion of FIGURE 4 is representative of a known type of fault-responsive stop motion device embodying 2. normally open electrical switch.

Insofar as the present invention is concerned, all the parts of the drawing frame heretofore described may be considered as being conventional and are illustrated and described for environment purposes only.

The drive mechanism of the present invention is devised for driving the main shaft of the textile machine or drawing frame, such as the shaft 11 in FIGURE 1, at a relative slow speed for a predetermined time after a filled can of sliver has been doffed and an empty can has been placed on the coiler turntable and, after the predetermined interval of time has passed, for automaticlly and positively increasing the speed of the main shaft to a predetermined high speed. By so operating the textile machine at a slower speed upon start up, creation of rela tively high forces acting on sliver produced by the machine is delayed until such time that such forces will not adversely affect the sliver, as by throwing the same out of the can into which it is to be coiled. Additionally, it is desirable to re-start the machine, following stoppage thereof at any time during the run, with the main shaft rotating at the predetermined relatively slow speed for a predetermined interval, after which the speed of the main shaft is automatically increased to said predetermined high speed. By so re-starting the machine, creation of relatively high force acting on the sliver to pull the same apart lengthwise is avoided.

In order to provide desirable starting operation of the textile machine, the present invention provides a transmission means, generally indicated at 90, operatively interconnecting a substantially constant speed driving means, such as a main drive motor 91 having an output shaft 92, and the main shaft 11 of the drawing frame. In accordance with this invention, the transmission means includes a controllable variable slip means 93, preferably in the form of a magnetic particle clutch such as the Magneclutch manufactured by Vickers, Incorporated. The output shaft 94 of the controllable variable slip means 93 has a pulley 95 secured thereto which is connected by a suitable belt 96 to a driven pulley 97 mounted on the main shaft 11. Briefly, in operation, the main drive motor 91 provides a substantially constant speed at its output shaft 92, and the main shaft 11 is driven in rotation by means of the transmission means 90 including the controllable variable slip means 93.

The manner in which the variable slip means 93 operates may best be explained with reference to FIGURE 3. A magnetic particle clutch, as there shown, includes a stator or housing 100, which may be a flange mounted type suitably secured to the stator or housing 101 of the motor 91. Within the housing 100, the output or drive shaft 92 of the rotor of the main drive motor 91 is secured to an inner rotor or cup 102. An outer rotoror cup 104 is supported to concentrically surround the inner rotor 102, and the space 105 therebetween is occupied by magnetic particles of suitable characteristics to couple the rotors 102, 104 together for rotation as described in greater detail hereinafter. The outer rotor 104 is secured to the output shaft 94 of the magnetic particle clutch 93, to provide output driving power from the controllable variable slip means.

In order to control the percentage of slip between the motor shaft 92 and the output shaft 94, an electromagnetic coil 106 is suported within the housing outwardly of the outer rotor 104 and closely adjacent thereto. Upon the application of an electrical current to the electromagnetic coil 106, a magnetic field is created through the inner and outer rotors 102, 104, and the magnetic particles occupying the space 105 therebetween. Dependent upon the magnitude of the current applied to the coil 106, the magnetic particles occupying the space 105 coalesce to a greater or lesser degree and thereby control the percentage of slip between from the motor shaft 92 to the output shaft 94 through the inner and outer rotors 102, 104. The higher the magnitude of the current applied to the coil 106, the lesser the percentage of slip through the magnetic particle clutch 93.

In this discussion, slip refers to the relative rotation between two coupled shafts. That is, if the two shafts are fixedly coupled together, so that one revolution of a first one of the shafts results in one revolution of the other, no slip exists between the shafts. Stated differently, the percentage of slip between fixedly coupled shafts is 0%. Where the shafts are entirely uncoupled, so that no revolution of one shaft results from revolution of the other, the percentage of slip between the shafts is 100%. Should two revolutions of a first one of two coupled shafts produce one revolutio of the other, the slip may be expressed as 50%. A distinction must be drawn between slip, as here used, and ratio, as the latter term is more usually applied to a coupling of two shafts in which the number of revolutions occurring at an output shaft is fixed with respect to the number of revolutions of an input shaft, and may be in excess of the input revolutions. In a variable slip means as that term is herein used, such as a magnetic particle clutch, the percentage of slip may range from 0%, at which direct coupling is obtained, to 100%, at which no coupling whatsoever is obtained, but may never be so varied as to produce a greater output rotating speed than the input rotating speed, as can be obtained through the use of a step-up ratio drive.

' In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for starting the textile machine which include means for activating the controllable variable slip means to effect transmission with a high percentage of slip of driving force from the motor 91 for a predetermined time period, to drive the main shaft 11 at a 510W speed, and thereafter for activating the magnetic particle clutch to effect transmission at a reduced percentage of slip and drive the main shaft 11 at a higher, normal production speed. The means for starting the drawing frame, and for controlting the percentage of slip through the magnetic particle clutch. are included in the schematic wiring diagram of FIGURE 4.

In the upper portion of FIGURE 4, it will be observed that the main motor 91 has three conductors 110, 111, 112 leading therefrom to corresponding sides of respective normally open relay switches 114, 115, 116. The switches 114-116, along with a switch 117, are parts of an electromagnetic relay, broadly designated at 119. Switches 114- 116 have respective lead conductors 120-121 connected thereto and to conductors 124, 125, 126, respectively, which are energized with three-phase high voltage electrical current as hereinafter described. Conductors 124- 126 are connected to the fan motor 74 and to corresponding sides of respective normally open relay switches 128, 129, 130.

Switches 128-130, along with a switch 131, are parts of an electromagnetic relay broadly designated at 132. Switches 128-130 have respective line conductors 134, 135, 136 connected thereto and leading to a suitable source of three-phase high voltage electrical current, not shown. A manually operable, normally open, motor start switch 138 serves to energize the coil 139 of relay 132 as current flows from lead conductor 135, through conductors 140-143 and coil 139 to the lead conductor 134.

Upon energization of coil 139, all the switches 128-131 are moved to closed position so that, when switch 138 is released, current flows from conductor 140, through coil 139, a conductor 145, switch 131, a conductor 146, a normally closed motor stop switch 148, and through the conductor 143. It is apparent that the fan motor 74 is energized when switches 128-131 are closed, at which time current is also made available to the lead conductors -122 and at normally open switches 114-116. When manual stop switch 148 is opened, this stops motor 74 and stops the flow of current to the conductors 120- 122.

Subsequent to encrgization of the fan motor 74 and lead conductors 120-122, a manually operable, normally open, drive motor start switch 149 serves to energize the coil 150 of relay 119 as current flows from lead conductor 121, through a conductor 151, through the coil 150, through a conductor 152, through the switch 149 and through conductors 154, to the lead conductor 122. Upon energization of the coil 150, all the switches 114-117 are moved to a closed position to energize main drive motor 91. Also, when switch 149 is released, energization of the coil 150 is maintained through a holding circuit including conductor 151, the coil 150, conductor 156, switch 117, conductor 157, normally closed stop switch 159, and conductor 155. When the main drive motor 91 is energized, current is made available to the control circuit for the magnetic particle clutch 93. To this end, conductors 111, 112 have conductors 160, 161 leading therefrom to the primary winding 162 of a step down transformer 164. When either of the manual stop switches 148, 159 is opened, this stops the main drive motor 91 and stops the flow of current to the transformer 164.

Transformer 164 includes a pair of secondary windings or coils 165, 166 to which opposite ends of respective pairs of conductors 168, 169 and 170, 171 are connected. Secondary winding 166 preferably is of low voltage output of about 6 volts and secondary winding is preferably of higher voltage output of about 110 voits. The control circuit is provided with a normally inactive manually operable starting member or main start switch 172, a normally open jog switch 174 and a main, normally closed, stop switch 175. The main start switch 172 normally maintains contact between a pair of conductors 1'76, 178, which extend, respectively, to conductor 179 and to one end of the coil 180 of a fault-actuated relay broadly designated at 181. The other side of coil 180 has a conductor 182 leading therefrom to one side of the normally open fault-responsive stop motion 79, such as the contact bar 77 associated with the spoons 75 in FIGURE 1. The other side of the fault-responsive stop motion 79, which may be represented by the contact bar 78 in FIG- URE 1, has a conductor 184 leading therefrom to a medial portion of conductor 170.

The end of conductor 170 opposite from secondary winding 166 is connected to one side of the coil 185 of an electromagnetic master control relay broadly designated at 186. The other end of coil 185 has a conductor 188 extending therefrom to one of a pair of normally open contacts associated with start switch 172. The other of the latter contacts has the corresponding end of conductor 171 connected thereto.

Master control relay 186 includes three normally open switches 189, 190, 191, and fault-actuated relay 181 includes a normally closed switch 193 and a normally open switch 194. The main stop switch 175 normally manitains a closed circuit with relay switch 193 through conductors 195, 196, extending from conductor 171 to switch 175 and from switch 175 to one side of relay switch 193, respectively. The other side of switch 193 has a conductor 198 leading therefrom to switch 189.

A conductor 200 extends from one side of an electric motor 201 of a suitable time-delay-relay or cycling timer 202 to one side of the relay switch 191. The conductor 169 is connected to the other side of switch 191. The relay switch has conductors 204, 205 connected thereto and leading to conductor 169 and to one side of the input of a suitable current rectifier generally designated at 206. The other side of the input of rectifier 206 has a conductor 207 leading therefrom to conductor 168. Conductor 168 also has a conductor 209 connected thereto which may have a suitable electrically operable visual or audible signal device 210 interposed therein and whose other end is connected to one side of the normally open relay switch 194. The other side of relay switch 194 has a conductor 211 leading therefrom to a conductor 212, one end of which is connected to conductor 169 and the other end of which is connected to one side of normally open jog switch 174. The other side of jog switch 174 has a conductor 214 extending therefrom to conductor 205.

The timer 202 may be of any suitable well-known type and is shown as being of the type manufactured by Hay don Diviison/ General Time Corporation, Torrington, Conn., under their No. BNZZZO. Since various types of timing devices may be used to serve the purpose of timer 202, only a general description thereof will be given.

In this instance, timer 202 comprises a frame or plate member 215 through which the shaft 216 of electric motor 201 loosely extends. A suitably graduated dial or disk 218 is fixed on motor shaft 216 and is provided with a projection 219 thereon which is normally urged into engagement with an abutment 220, carried by the frame 215, by a torsion spring 221. Spring 221 also normally urges shaft 216 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG- URE 4. The end of motor shaft 216 has a cam arm or switch actuator 222 adjusta'bly secured thereon, as by a nut 223.

The graduations on the dial 218 may be arranged according to one-minute intervals so that, when the pointed end of the switch actuator or cam arm 222 is pos tioned adjacent any one of the characters on the dial 218, this will indicate the interval of time during which the motor 201 must be energized in order to move the actuator 222 into engagement with a relay actuating abutment 225 shown therebeneath in FIGURE 4.

Abutment 225 is a part of an electromagnetic relay broadly designated at 226 which also icnludes two spaced pairs of spaced resilient contactors 228, 229, 230, 231. The abutment 225 extends upwardly from the uppermost contactor 228. Armatures 233, 234, in the form of leaf springs, are positioned between the respective pairs of contactors 228, 229 and 230, 231. All the contactors 228 231 and armatures 233, 234 are suitably insulatable supported and insulated from each other, as by means of a post 235. The corresponding ends of armatures 233, 234 extend through or are connected to an L-shaped bracket 236 which may be suitably insulated from the armatures 233, 234 and which is pivotally mounted, as at 238, closely adjacent an electromagnet 239.

A conductor 240 connects one end of the coil of electromagnet 239 to conductor 169 through conductor 200 and switch 191, and a conductor 241 connects the other end of the coil of electromagnet 239 to the contactor 229. The end of conductor 168 remote from secondary winding 165 of transformer 164 is connected to armature 233. A conductor 242 extends from contactor 228 to the side of timer motor 201 opposite from conductor 200. The conudctors 244, 245 extending from one side of the coil 106 (FIGURE 3) of the magnetic particle clutch 93 are connected to the respective contactors 230, 231 (FIG- URE 4). A suitable slow speed determining means is provided for clutch 93 which may comprise a rheostat 246 interposed in conduit 245. The armature 234 has a conductor 248 leading therefrom to one side of the output of rectifier 206. The other side of the output of rectifier 206 has a conductor 249 leading therefrom to the other side of the coil 106 of clutch 93.

Method of operation From the foregoing description, it is apparent that, whenever an operator closes the master start switch 138, this energizes the fan motor 74 and starts rotation of the fans 67 (FIGURE 2). Thereafter, the operator may close the drive start switch 149 to energize the main drive motor 91 while also energizing the primary coil 162 of transformer 164. This insures that the control circuit cannot be operated and that the magnetic particle clutch 93 remains inactive until the suction fans 67 have started rotating. It is important that the air-flow cleaning system is operating before the drafting rolls 10, calender rolls 29 and coiler mechanism 26 are operated to insure that residual fibers and other light foreign matter are withdrawn from the drafting instrumentalities 10 at all times during the operation of the drawing frame.

However, before the drafting rolls, calender rolls and coiler mechanism are started, the switch actuator 222, in the lower central portion of FIGURE 4, is adjusted relative to dial 218 to set the same for the desired interval during which the drawing frame is to operate at slow speed. The interval at which the drawing frame is to operate at slow speed in each instance depends upon the type of fibers being processed, the drawing operations to which the slivers may have been subjected previously, and whether or not the can 34 is provided with the false bottom such as that indicated at 35 in FIG- URE 4. For example, it may be assumed that one-inch staple cotton sliver weighing about 40 grains per yard is to be breaker drawn through the drafting instrumentalities 10 and coiled into a can 34 having a diameter of about 16 inches and also having the false bottom 35 therein. In order that the sliver issuing from the throat of coiler plate 30 will not be thrown outwardly and over the upper edge of coiler can 34 and false bottom 35 by the centrifugal force imparted thereto as it issues from the throat, the ratio between the speed of the main shaft 11 of the motor shaft (FIGURES 1 and 3) preferably should be such that the sliver issues from the coiler plate throat at a relatively slow speed of about 450 feet per minute for an interval of about 20 to 30 seconds.

Assuming the distance between the false bottom 35 and the spectacle plate is approximately 3 inches, the 20 to 30 second interval provides time for the stock to build up on the false bottom so as to bear against the lower surface of the coiler plate 30. The pressure of the coiled sliver against coiler plate 30 then places the sliver under suificient tension so the speed of the drawing frame may be increased without the centrifugal force of the sliver issuing from the throat causing the same to be thrown over and outwardly of the upper edge of the can 34. This indicates that approximately to 225 feet of sliver are deposited on the false bottom 35 by the time the electric timer motor 201 (FIGURE 4) has rotated dial 218 and switch actuator 222 to where it will engage the switch abutment 225 to effect operation of clutch 93 to drive the drawing frame at normal, relatively high speed by interrupting the flow of current to the coil 106 of the clutch 93 through the conductor 245 and rheostat 248 and initiating the flow of current clutch 93 through conductor 246, as will be later described.

Timer 202 will also be effective to cause the drawing frame to operate at said slow speed for the previously determined interval of 20 to 30 seconds each time the drawing frame is re-started following stoppage thereof due to a fault in the processing of the slivers S through the drafting instrumentalities 10, such as by the parting of any one or more of the strands of sliver S in their course to the drafting instrumentalities 10.

If a coiler can, such as can 34, is used which does not have a false bottom therein, such as is indicated at 35, in FIGURE 4, and assuming that the distance between the turntable 32 and the coiler plate 30 is approximately 50 inches, it has been determined that from 2% to 8% of the sliver required to fill the coiler can 34 must be coiled therein from the coiler plate throat in order to build up a suflicient amount of stock in the can so that the stock will engage the lower surface of the coiler plate 30. Thus, in such instances, the switch actuator 222 (FIGURE 4) would probably be so adjusted relative to the dial 218 that the drawing frame would operate at the relatively slow speed of, say, 450 feet per minute, for an interval of from 1 to 4 minutes.

The slow speed intervals of operation of the drawing frame may be varied in accordance with the type of fibers being processed, the hank number, the diameter and height of the coiler can, and the number of drawing processes through which the sliver is passed. The maximum speed at which the drawing frame may operate during the slow speed intervals is also determined by the type of fibers, the hank number, the size of the coiler can, and the number of drawing processes. When the sliver is first drafted in a drawing frame, the maximum production at slow-speed operation might be about 450 feet per minute for a 40-grain-per-yard cotton sliver. In a sec ond drawing process, the maximum production at slowspeed operation might be about 425 feet per minute, and it might be from 375 to 400 feet per minute during the intervals of slow-speed operation in a third drawing process, for example.

The operation of the electrical clutch control circuit will now be described.

Assuming that the main drive motor 91 is operating in the manner heretofore described and the remaining movable parts of the control circuit occupy the positions shown in FIGURE 4, upon actuating the manually operable start switch 172, coil 185 of relay 186 is energized, thus causing all the switches 189-191 to close. Energization of the coil 185 of master control relay 186 energizes timer motor 201 through switch 190, contactor 228 and armature 233, and simultaneously applies a first magnitude of current to the coil 106 of the magnetic particle clutch 93. The first magnitude of current is applied to coil 106 because switch 190 energizes rectifier 206, causing the same to produce a pulsating direct current which thus flows through the armature 234, contactor 230, the current limiting rheostat 246 and the coil 1% of the clutch 93, thus applying a first magnitude of current to the coil 106 of the clutch 93, activating that clutch to effect transmission of driving force from the main motor 91 to the main shaft 11 at a first determined percentage of slip, and starting operation of the drawing frame at the predetermined relatively slow speed.

The timer motor 201 then overcomes the opposing torque produced by torsion spring 221 and imparts clockwise rotation to dial 218 and switch actuator 222 until the switch actuator 222 engages and imparts downward movement to the abutment 225. As abutment 225 moves downwardly, it moves armatures 233, 234 and bracket 236 downwardly therewith until armatures 233, 234 are moved into engagement with the respective contactors 229, 231. In so doing, armature 233 moves out of engagement with contactor 228 to interrupt the flow of current to the coil 106- of the clutch 93 through the rheostat 246 while causing current of a second magnitude to flow directly to clutch coil 106 from the rectifier 206 while by-passing rheostat 246. Inasmuch as no current limiting resistance is inserted in this latter circuit, a higher magnitude of current is applied to the coil 106, thereby increasing the coalescense of the magnetic particles and the coupling between the inner and outer rotors or cup members 102, 104 (FIGURE 3). Due to the characteristics of the clutch 93, the increase in coupling, or decrease in percentage of slip, occurs quickly yet smoothly, without impact loads on the various machine elements. Preferably, the higher magnitude of current is suflicient to effect full coupling of the rotors 102, 104, to reduce the percentage of slip to As armature 233 engages contactor 229, current also flows through the coil of electromagnet 239, whereupon electromagnet 239 attracts bracket 236 so that it moves downwardly further than the distance to which it was moved by engagement of switch actuator 222 with abutment 225, thus moving armature 233 out of engagement with contactor 228 and interrupting the flow of current to timer motor 201. As soon as the flow of current to timer motor 201 is interrupted, the torsion spring 221 imparts counterclockwise movement to the dial 218, motor shaft 216 and switch actuator 222 to reset the same; i.e., until projection 219 is returned to zero position in engagement with abutment 220.

As heretofore stated, whenever the drawing frame is stopped during the run, either manually or due to actuation of the fault-responsive stop motion 79, it is desirable to restart the drawing frame at relatively slow speed; i.e., with the lower magnitude of current being applied to the coil 106 of the clutch 93 through the rheostat 246. Thus, when the start switch 172 was released by the operator upon initially starting the drawing frame, energization of the coil 185 of master control relay 186 was maintained through switches 189, 1933. Upon either the faultresponsive stop motion 79 being actuated to establish contact between conductors 184, 182 or manually operable stop switch being opened, it is apparent that the flow of current through the coils 180, 185 of relays 181, 186 will be interrupted and switch 194 will be closed, thus energizing the signal device and warning the operator that the drawing frame has stopped due to faulty operation thereof.

When the coil 185 of master control relay 186 is deenergized in the manner heretofore described, this interrupts the flow of current to rectifier 206, thereby deenergizing the coil 106 of clutch 93 and also de-energizing timer motor 201 in the event that it was still running at the time the drawing frame was stopped, so the dial 218 of the timer will return to its starting position under influence of the torsion spring 221. Thus, upon the operator subsequently manually closing the start switch 172, a cycle in the operation of the clutch 93 will be repeated in the manner heretofore described. Whenever the drawing frame is stopped, it may be jogged, or started temporarily, by the operator closing job switch 174 for the desired length of time. Conductors 212, 214 and switch 174 are arranged to shunt the circuit to rectifier 206 across control relay 186 so that the clutch 93 is energized, without energizing timer motor 201, through the lower magnitude current circuit provided by conductor 248, armature 234, contactor 230, conductor 245 and rheostat 246.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a textile machine having operating instrumentalities for drafting sliver, a coiler for coiling the sliver into a can, a main shaft operatively connected to the instrumentalities and to the coiler for always driving the same at correlated speeds for the production .and coiling of sliver, and a substantially constant speed driving means, the combination therewith of means for operatively connecting the driving means and the main shaft and for driving the main shaft at a first speed for a predetermined time period to draft and coil sliver at a first rate in feet per minute and automatically thereafter driving the main shaft at a higher speed to draft and coil sliver .at a higher rate so that a maximum rate is reached in timed steps of increasing rates, said means comprising:

trans-mission means interposed between and operatively connecting the driving means and the main shaft and including variable slip means controllable to vary the percentage of slip between the driving means and the main shaft, and

means for starting the machine including control means operatively connected to said variable slip means for controlling the same to vary the percentage of slip between the driving means and the main shaft, said control means acting on said variable slip means to effect transmission at a high percentage of Slip for a predetermined time period to cause drafting and coiling of sliver at a relatively low rate and to automatically thereafter effect transmission at a lesser percentage of slip to cause drafting and coiling of sliver at a relatively high rate.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said variable slip means is responsive to variations in electrical current applied thereto and wherein said control means is electrically connected to the variable slip means to apply an electrical current of a first magnitude thereto during said predetermined time period and thereafter automatical-ly apply an electrical current of a second magnitude.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said variable slip means is controllable to vary the percentage of slip from to 100% and wherein said control means acts on said variable slip means to effect transmission with substantially no slip to cause drafting and coiling at the high rate.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said variable slip means is a magnetic particle clutch and said control means comprises an electrical circuit including contacts and a timing device controlling closure of said contacts to apply an electrical current of a first magnitude to said clutch for driving at said first speed for said predetermined time period and automatically thereafter apply an electrical current of a greater magnitude for driving at said higher speed.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the textile machine further has air flow cleaning means operatively associated with the operating instrumentalities for drawing air thereover to clean the same, said cleaning means including air flow inducing means and an electrical drive motor drivingly connected to said inducing means, and wherein said means for starting the machine includes an electrical circuit operatively connected to said drive motor for energizing said drive motor prior to energization of said variable slip means.

6. In a textile machine having operating instrumentalities for drafting sliver, a coiler for coiling the sliver into a can, a main shaft operatively connected to the instrumentalities and to the coiler for always driving the same at correlated speeds for the production and coiling of sliver, a substantially constant speed electrical main drive motor, and air flow cleaning means operatively asso ciated with the operating instrumentalities for drawing air thereover to clean the same and including air flow inducing means and an electrical drive motor drivingly connected to said inducing means, the combination therewith of means for operatively connecting the main drive motor and the main shaft and for driving the man shaft at a first speed for a predetermined time period to draft and coil sliver at a first rate in feet per minute and automatically thereafter driving the main shaft at a higher speed to draft and coil sliver at a higher rate so that a maximum rate is reached in timed steps of increasing rates, said means comprising;

transmission means interposed between and operatively connecting the main drive motor and the main shaft and including a magnetic particle clutch responsive to variations in electrical current applied thereto to vary the percentage of slip between the main drive motor and the main shaft, and means for starting the machine including control means electrically connected to said clutch for applying thereto an electrical current of a first magnitude for a predetermined time period and thereafter automatically applying thereto an electrical current of a higher magnitude, said means further including an electrical circuit connecting said control means in parallel with said main drive motor and to said inducing means drive motor for precluding energization of said clutch prior to energization of said inducing means drive motor, said control means acting on said clutch to effect transmission at a high percentage of slip for said predetermined time p riod to cause drafting and coiling of sliver at a relatively low rate and to automatically thereafter effect transmission with substantially no slip to cause drafting and coiling of sliver at a relatively high rate.

DORSEY NEWTON, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,391,431 July 9, 1968 Joe R. Whitehurst It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 25, "machine" should read machines Column 2 line 24, "FIGIURE" should read-FIGURE Column 4, line 13, "environment" should read environmental line 17, "relative" should read relatively Column 5, line 21, "revolutio" should read revolution Column 7, line 12, "Diviison" should read Division line 36, "icnludes" should read includes line 57, "conudctors" should read conductors Column 12, line 5, "man" should read main line 39, "2 ,519,498" should read 2,519,449

Signed and sealed this 9th day of December 1969.

(SEAL) Attest: I

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

